Fluid product dispenser

ABSTRACT

The inventive fluid product dispenser comprises a container ( 10 ) containing a fluid product, a propellant, a control non-metering valve ( 20 ) which is mounted on said container and provided with a valve element displacing between the closed and open positions thereof. Said valve ( 20 ) is used for deliver the fluid product when the valve element is maintained in the open position. Said dispenser also comprises a delivering head ( 30 ) mounted on said valve element of the valve ( 20 ) and provided with a delivering orifice ( 31 ) and is characterised in that said head ( 30 ) comprises a metering system ( 32, 33, 34, 35 ) which delivers an exact and reproducible dose at each actuation of the device.

This present invention concerns a device for the dispensing of a fluidproduct, and more particularly a device of the aerosol type, including anon-metering dispensing valve and an external metering system mounted onthe said valve.

In systems of the aerosol type, it is common to use valves to dispensethe product by means of a propellant. These valves can be meteringvalves, which dispense accurately metered quantities with eachoperation. These valves are quite complex to manufacture and toassemble, in particular when one requires to guarantee optimal meteringaccuracy. Likewise, the use of a metering valve considerably complicatesthe filling of the reservoir with the fluid product and the propellant,which also increases the costs. Moreover, in a metering valve, themetering chamber is generally filled just after dispensing the precedingquantity, so that in the event of an extended period of storage, thelatter takes place with the chamber full. Furthermore, non-metering orcontinuous valves which dispense the product for as long as the valvestem is kept in its dispensing position, which is generally in thepressed position, are not suitable for a certain number of products,such as pharmaceutical products for example. These non-metering valves,which are very simple to manufacture and to assemble, and which allowvery easy filling of the reservoir, therefore do not allow quantities ofproduct to be dispensed in a precise manner.

Documents FR 1 325 336, U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,262 and JP 2000/084444describe push-button metering devices capable of being fitted to acontinuous valve. These push-button devices are complicated, composed ofmany parts, and therefore costly to manufacture and to assemble.

This present invention has as its aim to supply a fluid-productdispensing device which does not have the aforementioned disadvantages.

More particularly, this present invention has as its aim to provide afluid-product dispensing device which allows the dispensing of accurateand repeatable quantities of the product contained within the reservoir.

In particular, this present invention has as its aim to supply afluid-product dispensing device which guarantees both easy and simplefilling, and accurate and repeatable dispensing, of the productcontained in the reservoir.

This present invention also has as its aim to provide such a device inwhich the metering chamber is filled just before expulsion of themetered quantity.

This present invention also has as its aim to supply such a device whichis simple and inexpensive to manufacture, to assemble and to use.

This present invention therefore has as its subject a fluid-productdispensing device that includes a reservoir containing a fluid productand a propellant, with a non-metering dispensing valve being mounted onthe said reservoir, the said valve including a valve stem that ismovable between a closed position and an open position, the said valvebeing designed to dispense fluid product for as long as the valve stemis kept in the open position, with the device also including adispensing head mounted on the said valve stem and including adispensing orifice, characterised in that the said head includes ametering system designed to dispense a precise and repeatable meteredquantity of fluid product with each operation of the device.

Advantageously, the said metering system includes a control element tomove the said valve stem between its closed and open positions, and ametering element which is movable in relation to the said controlelement between a shut-off position and a dispensing position.

Advantageously, the said metering system includes an operating element,to move the said control element and the said metering element.

Advantageously, the said operating element fits onto the said controlelement by means of an elastic element, such as a spring whose stiffnessis greater than the force necessary to move the valve stem, so that atthe start of the operation, the operating element, the control elementand the metering element all move together as a static unit.

Advantageously, when the control element is in abutment, with the valvestem in the open position, product is fed into the said dispensing head,with the metering element, in the shut-off position, preventing anydispensing of this product.

Advantageously, when the control element is in abutment, with the valvestem in the open position, continuation of the operating element on itsoperating trajectory gives rise to a deformation of the said elasticelement placed between the operating element and the control element,and therefore a movement of the said operating element and of the saidmetering element in relation to the said control element.

Advantageously, when the metering element moves in relation to thecontrol element, it first arrives at a metering position, in which itshuts off, in a sealed manner, a passage to the said valve stem, thusdetermining the volume of the metered quantity, and then at a dispensingposition, in which the said metered quantity is dispensed through thesaid dispensing orifice.

Advantageously, a control element is hollow and forms, at leastpartially, a metering chamber and a feed passage between the saidmetering chamber and the said valve stem, the said metering elementincluding a first gasket forming, together with the said feed passage,an entry valve for the metering chamber, and a second gasket forming,together with the metering chamber, and exit valve from the meteringchamber.

Advantageously, during operation, the said entry valve closes beforeopening of the said exit valve, and after operation, the said exit valvecloses again before opening of the said entry valve.

Advantageously, the said first gasket is annular and fits onto the wallsof the feed passage in the closed position of the entry valve, where thesaid passage and/or the said metering chamber include walls of largerdiameter fitting the said first gasket in the open position of the saidentry valve.

Advantageously, the said second gasket is annular, and fits onto thewalls of the said metering chamber in the closed position of the exitvalve, the said metering chamber including walls of larger diameterfitting with the said second gasket in the open position of the saidexit valve.

Advantageously, the said operating element is snapped onto the saidcontrol element.

Advantageously, the control element contains a metering chamber, thesaid metering element simultaneously forming the entry valve and exitvalve of the said metering chamber.

Other characteristics and advantages of this present invention willappear more clearly on reading the following detailed description of oneparticular embodiment of the latter, with reference to the attacheddrawings, given by way of non-limited examples, and in which :

FIG. 1 is schematic view in cross section of a fluid-product dispensingdevice according to this present invention, in the rest position,

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1, at the start of theoperation, in the position for loading of the metered quantity,

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 2, during operation, inthe position for isolation of the metered quantity,

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIGS. 1 to 3, in the position forexpulsion of the metered quantity, and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIGS. 1 to 4, with the devicereturning to the rest position after expulsion of the metered quantity.

The drawings, which represent one advantageous embodiment of thispresent invention, show a fluid-product dispensing device that includesa reservoir 10 on which is mounted a continuous valve, also known as anon-metering valve 20, by means of a crimped-on capsule 15 for example.The operation of a continuous non-metering valve is very simple, sincein the rest position represented in FIG. 1, the valve is closed and thecontents of the reservoir 10 are isolated, while when in the dispensingposition, with the valve stem pressed fully down, product is dispensed.

In order to achieve accurate metering of the product quantity dispensedwith each operation, the device according to the invention specifies ametering system 32, 33, 34, 35, created in a dispensing head 30 which ismounted on the valve stem of the valve 20. This metering system actsduring the operation of the device, and ensures that the same meteredquantity is dispensed with each operation, independently of the positionof the valve stem of the continuous valve 20. In the example representedin the drawings, the metering system includes a control element 32 whichis designed to move the valve stem of the valve between its closed andopen positions. The control element 32 is preferably hollow and includeswithin it a metering element 33 which is movable in relation to the saidcontrol element 32 between a shut-off position represented in FIGS. 1and 2 and a dispensing position represented in FIG. 4. An operatingelement 34, to which the user applies force during the operation, fitsonto both the control element 32 and the metering element 33 to movethese during the operation. As can be seen in the figures, an elasticelement, such as a spring 35, is preferably placed between the operatingelement 34 and the control element 32. The stiffness of this spring 35is greater than the force necessary to move the valve stem of the valve20, so that at the start of the operation, it is the valve stem of thevalve 20 which is first pressed fully down while the spring 35 does notdeform. At the start of the operation, the control element 32, theoperating element 34 and the metering element 33 therefore move togetherforming a static unit. This movement is shown in FIG. 2. In the positionrepresented in FIG. 2, the control element 32 has therefore moved thevalve stem of the valve 20 to its open position. At that instant,product is expelled by the said valve stem 20. The control element 32,which is hollow, forms a metering chamber 50 which is connected firstlyto a dispensing orifice 31 and secondly to the output of the valve stem20 by means of a feed passage 40.

The metering element 33, which is movable in relation to the controlelement 32, is used to shut off the said feed passage 40 to allow ametered quantity to be loaded, and to open the output of the meteringchamber 50, to allow the expulsion of the product through the dispensingorifice 31. As can be seen in FIG. 2, when the control element 32arrives at the end of its travel on the fixing capsule 15, the feedpassage 40 is open into the metering chamber 50, while this meteringchamber 50 is isolated from the dispensing orifice 31. At that instant,the product is therefore fed into the metering chamber 50, filling it.There is no expulsion of product through the dispensing orifice 31,since the passage to this orifice is closed. When the user continuespressure on the operating element 34, this then deforms the spring 35,which gives rise to the movement of the metering element 33 within thecontrol element 32. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the feed passage 40 isthen firstly closed in relation to the metering chamber 50, whichtotally isolates the metered quantity within the metering chamber. Thismetering position is used to determine the volume of this meteredquantity in a very precise and repeatable manner. Finally, continuationof the operating trajectory of the operating element 34 moves themetering element 33 still further. As represented in FIG. 4, themetering element 33 then opens the passage between the metering chamber50 and the dispensing orifice 31, and thus allows the product to bedispensed. After expulsion of the product, when the user releasespressure on the operating element 34, the spring 35 and the spring ofthe valve stem 20 return the metering system to its rest position.During this return to the rest position, the metering element 33 firstcloses the connection between the metering chamber 50 and the dispensingorifice 31 before again opening the feed passage 40 to allow the loadingof a fresh metered quantity.

The preferred embodiment represented in the figures includes a meteringelement 33 fitted with a first gasket 36 forming, together with the saidfeed passage 40, an entry valve for the metering chamber 50, as well asa second gasket 37 which forms, together with the metering chamber 50,an exit valve from the metering chamber 50. As described above, duringthe operation, the entry valve closes before opening of the exit valve,and after operation, when the device returns to its rest position, theexit valve closes again before opening of the entry valve.Advantageously, the first gasket 36 is annular and fits onto a wall ofthe feed passage 40 in the closed position of the entry valve, the saidgasket 36 being placed within the metering chamber 50 when the entryvalve is in the open position. In a variant, one could envisage that inthe open position, the first gasket 36 fits onto a wall part of largerdiameter than the said feed passage 40. Furthermore, the second gasket37 is also advantageously annular, and fits onto the walls of themetering chamber 50 in the closed position of the exit valve, with thesaid metering chamber 50 having walls of larger diameter which fit ontothe said second gasket 37 in the open position of the exit valve. Thisopen position of the exit valve is shown in FIG. 4, with a very slightdifference in the diameter being sufficient to allow the metered productquantity to be expelled, in particular by the presence of a propellantgas.

Advantageously, it is possible to arrange for an atomising profile notshown at the level of the dispensing orifice 31, in order to favourdispensing in the form of a spray. The operating element 34 is shown asbeing click-fitted or snapped on the control element 32, but it isintended that any other means of attaching these various elements can beenvisaged.

The invention has been described with reference to one particularembodiment of the latter, but it is clear that it is not limited to theexample represented. In particular, the arrangement of the variouselements forming the metering system operating element, elastic element,control element, and metering element can differ, and these variouselements can be implemented in a different fashion, on condition that itadequately performs the metering function during the operation of thedevice. In particular, the position and the shape of the gaskets formedon the metering element 33 can be implemented in any manner desired.Likewise, the shape of the entry and exit valves of the metering chambercan also be implemented in any manner desired.

One obvious advantage of this present invention is that it allowsimplementation of a metering system, and therefore the dispensing, in anaccurate and repeatable manner, of the product contained in thereservoir 10, while still using a non-metering valve. Moreover, thefilling of the metering chamber occurs advantageously just beforeexpulsion of the metered quantity. The use of a non-metering valve hasmany advantages, in particular regarding the manufacturing and assemblycosts. It also simplifies the filling of the reservoir with the productand the propellant gas, to a very significant degree. Someone skilled inthe art will also be able to perform all necessary changes to thispresent invention as described above, without moving outside the scopeof the present invention as described in the appended claims.

1. A fluid-product dispensing device that includes a reservoir (10)containing a fluid product and a propellant, a non-metering dispensingvalve (20) being mounted on the said reservoir (10), the said valve (20)including a valve stem which is movable between a closed position and anopen position, the said valve (20) being designed to dispense fluidproduct for as long as the valve stem is kept in the open position, thedevice also including a dispensing head (30) mounted on the said valvestem (20) and including a dispensing orifice (31), the said head (30)including a metering system (32, 33, 34, 35) designed to dispense aprecise and repeatable metered quantity of fluid product with eachoperation of the device, characterised in that the said metering system(32, 33, 34, 35) includes an operating element (34), a control element(32) and a metering element (33), the said operating element beingcapable of moving the said control element and the said meteringelement, the said control element (32) moving the said actuator (20)between its closed and open positions, and the said metering element(33) being movable within the control element (32) between a shut-offposition and a dispensing position.
 2. A device according to claim 1, inwhich the said operating element (34) is attached to the said controlelement (32) by means of an elastic element (35), such as a spring,whose stiffness is greater than the force necessary to move the valvestem(20), so that at the start of the operation, the operating element(34), the control element (32) and the metering element (33) movetogether as a static unit.
 3. A device according to claim 2, in which,when the control element (32) is in abutment, with the valve stem (20)in the open position, product is fed into the said dispensing head (30),with the metering element (33) in the shut-off position and preventingany dispensing of this product.
 4. A device according to claim 2, inwhich, when the control element (32) is at in abutment, with the valvestem(20) in the open position, continuation of the operating element(34) in its operating trajectory gives rise to a deformation of the saidelastic element (35) placed between the operating element (34) and thecontrol element (32), and therefore a movement of the said operatingelement (34) and of the said metering element (33) in relation to thesaid control element (32).
 5. A device according to claim 4 in which,when the metering element (33) moves in relation to the control element(32), it first arrives at a metering position in which it shuts off, ina sealed manner, a passage (40) to the said valve stem (20), thusdetermining the volume of the metered quantity, and then at a dispensingposition in which the said metered quantity is dispensed through thesaid dispensing orifice (31).
 6. A device according to claim 1, in whichthe control element (32) is hollow and forms, at least partially, ametering chamber (50) and a feed passage (40) between the said meteringchamber (50) and the said valve stem (20), the said metering element(33) including a first gasket (36) forming, together with the said feedpassage (40), an entry valve for the metering chamber (50), and a secondgasket (37) forming, together with the metering chamber (50), an exitvalve from the metering chamber (50).
 7. A device according to claim 6,in which, during operation, the said entry valve closes before openingof the said exit valve, and after operation, the said exit valve closesagain before opening of the said entry valve.
 8. A device according toclaim 6, in which the said first gasket (36) is annular and fits ontothe walls of the feed passage (40) in the closed position of the entryvalve, the said passage (40) and/or the said metering chamber (50)including walls of larger diameter fitting onto the said first gasket(36) in the open position of the said entry valve.
 9. A device accordingto claim 6, in which the said second gasket (37) is annular and fitsonto the walls of the said metering chamber (50) in the closed positionof the exit valve, the said metering chamber (50) including walls oflarger diameter fitting onto the said second gasket (37) in the openposition of the said exit valve.
 10. A device according to claim 1, inwhich the said operating element (34) is snapped onto the said controlelement (32).
 11. A device according to claim 1, in which the controlelement (32) contains a metering chamber (50), the said metering element(33) simultaneously forming the entry valve (36) and the exit valve (37)of the said metering chamber (50).